MichelleB by Fagor 5-Quart Cast Iron Lite Soup Pot with Glass Lid

If cast iron's back-breaking reputation gives you pause, consider the 5-Quart Soup Pot from MichelleB by Fagor, our top pick for a lightweight casserole. This induction-safe Dutch oven from highly regarded Miami chef Michelle Bernstein weighs in at only six pounds (less than half the heft of most traditional casserole dishes), and we found it easy to handle and clean. The pot turned out exceptional beef stew in GHRI tests and maintained a steady simmer. Plus, the glass lid and silicone handles stay cool to the touch even after cooking so there's no need for a potholder. Our only small quibbles: The casserole's small bottom diameter isn't convenient for browning stew meat or chicken pieces before braising, and it's exposed cast-iron rim may rust if not dried thoroughly.